Shelby County Schools are closed Wednesday

March 3, 2014 - A group of good samaritans help push a stranded motorist out of a bank of snow on Thomas in Frayser Monday after a winter storm covered parts of Memphis in a blanket of ice over night (Jim Weber/The Commercial Appeal)

All Shelby County Schools will be closed on Wednesday, including all before- and after-school activities and athletics. All district offices will be open during regular business hours.

The decision to close schools was made due to these factors:

Based on reports from city and county officials and a firsthand review of areas throughout the district by the district's transportation/safety teams, dangerous road conditions still exist in rural parts of the district.

More than 40 schools, mostly in the northern region, are still affected by snow and ice.

The district also has several schools that are not accessible due to icy conditions. At least five schools are also without power, including three in Memphis. Additionally, reported icy roads and sidewalks and downed trees and power lines in the city and county may also impact students walking or being driven to school.

More schools could be affected by Wednesday morning if snow and ice melts refreeze due to further drops in temperature.

All employees who work in an administrative office should report for regular business hours. Noninstructional operational staff (i.e. maintenance/facilities) should contact their supervisors regarding duties Wednesday. All other school-based employees, including principals, should not report to work.

The University of Memphis also sent out an alert Tuesday night that its Lambuth Campus will be closed Wednesday.